The accident took place on the southbound Exit 21 off-ramp just before 5 p.m.

State police at the Troop H Barracks in Hartford identified the motorcyclist as Robert A. Martin, 58, of 256 Carriage Crossing, Middletown.

Martin was traveling down the off-ramp when he “lost control of his motorcycle,” and ran off the left side of the roadway, striking the curb.

Martin “was ejected from his motorcycle,” which state police identified as a 2014 Honda Forza. He “came to an uncontrolled final rest on the left shoulder” of the exit ramp, state police said.

Cromwell Ambulance crews and the Cromwell Fire Department responded to the accident.

Given the severity of his injuries, the decision was made to use LifeStar, the medical evacuation helicopter, to transport Martin to a trauma center.

An emergency landing zone was set up in the western parking lot of the Burger King restaurant at 136 Berlin Road.

The fire department established a perimeter for the helicopter to land.

The combination of three fire engines, state police cruisers, and two Cromwell police officers acted as magnet to diners — and would-be diners — at the several restaurant clustered in and around the Sebethe Drive/Berlin Road intersection.

Martin was flown to St. Francis Hosptial for what state police described as “further medical attention.”